The FCC this week has begun asking the general public to submit their broadband speeds to get an accurate picture of the condition of US broadband. The bureau hopes that crowdsourcing the information will circumvent ISP reports that frequently exaggerate real-world speeds and broadband coverage.

The new website established at broadband.gov allows users to test their broadband connection via one of two Java-driven testing tools. The test requires that visitors submit an address, but the FCC says that the data will be used to “analyze broadband quality and availability on a geographic basis,” a critical necessity in achieving the commission’s goals.

The FCC isn’t stopping at terrestrial broadband, either. The bureau has released an application to the Android and iPhone app stores that can also test, record and report the speed and quality of a mobile data connection.

Finally, those who do not live within the reach of broadband can still contribute to the project by filling out an online report, calling the FCC at 1-888-CALL-FCC, faxing the email or by sending a SASE via the US Postal Service.

The testing initiative comes just days in advance of the bureau’s official unveiling of the National Broadband Plan, a landmark initiative that intends to bring 100Mbps connectivity to 100 million Americans in 2010, deliver broadband to underserved rural areas and to sell broadband holdouts on the merits of a high-speed connection.